'If Sri Lanka qualify for T20 World Cup knockouts...': Lasith Malinga makes revelation

The talks of retirement are sure making the rounds about certain players and now Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said he has a target to achieve before walking into the sunset.

The bowler with 100 scalps in T20 Internationals said that if his team qualifies for the knockout stage at this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, he will happily retire.

Malinga said in March that he could retire after the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled in October-November but later expressed his desire to play for another two years.

The pacer said he wants to lead the 2014 T20 champions to at least the knock-out stage at the upcoming edition.

“I’ve already retired from Tests and ODIs. Now whatever is required for SL cricket. If they say it’s enough for me now then I’ll be really happy to retire from T20s also,” Malinga said on the eve of the series-opener against India.

“My only target is to play qualify round in the T20 World Cup. If Sri Lanka qualify for the knockouts, I would never mind retiring anytime after that,” he added.

Talking about the series, Malinga said they would target Jaspirt Bumrah since he is returning from an injury. “He’s got the skill and accuracy. But coming after the injury when you don’t play much cricket for the last four months, the bowlers struggle to get into the rhythm for the first few matches. We want to use that to our advantage.”

“I can pass all the information on his attitude and bowling skill. But batsmen will have to be smart enough to handle him carefully,” he said, according to Hindustan Times.

Malinga also pointed out that his squad does not have the luxury of playing franchise tournaments at home but still, they managed to win in 2014, beating India at home.

“We are looking for a new start in the New Year. T20 is an unpredictable format. We can’t predict say who’s the best. Anyone can change the momentum in one over. I want to give an opportunity to the young players. They are talented, have skill but lack experience. It’s an important series to set the tone for us.”

Malinga said bowlers can win T20 matches more than the batsmen. “In this format, the key is to win the situations and bowlers can win you the matches,” he said recalling how they restricted India to a below-par 130 for four before sealing a six-wicket win.